Badgers fall three points short

Down nine points at halftime, the Badger men looked to be in trouble at home Feb. 10 against a Kellogg team undefeated in IML play. By stiffening defensive pressure the Badgers were able to claw their way to the lead in the second half, but couldn’t hang on for the win, losing 46-43 as the clock ran out.

The Badgers were hard-pressed by the twin towers of Tucker Gust and Heath Waechter, massive 6’ 3 and 6’4 seniors on the Wildcat squad. Gust scored 14 points for the Wildcats and Waechter had 12 points along with teammate Gus Colburn.

The ball skills of Kaleb Stockton and Caleb Blackmore were on display for the Badgers, and Blackmore lead all scorers in the game with 15 points. Stockton scored 13 points and had a chance at the game-winner with a beautiful arcing shot from behind the 3-point line that rattled around the basket before popping out.

Collin Stone showed his normal poise with fantastic ball handling but couldn’t get his free throws to drop, scoring four points in the game, and the other two seniors had low scoring games as well. Pat O’Hara had four points and Wyatt Nelson had five. Junior Warren Carle had 2 points and played tenacious defense guarding Kellogg’s burly seniors.

Though he didn’t score in the game, freshman Brady Bateman came in late for the Badgers, who had starters in foul trouble and held his own against the larger seniors.

The Badgers hit the road to take on Priest River Tuesday, Feb. 17 in their final league game of the season before returning home Feb. 19 to play Clark Fork in a senior night game. IML tournament play starts Feb. 23 at NIC.

Bonners Ferry 8 9 15 11 — 43

Kellogg 13 13 11 9 — 46

Bonners Ferry — Price 0, O’Hara 4, Stockton 13, Stone 4, Carle 2, Nelson 5, Blackmore 15, Bateman 0.

Kellogg — G. Colburn 12, Martin 2, Jerome 0, Easley 0, Waechter 12, Gust 14, T. Colburn 4, McDonald 2.